Gordon Elliott further extended his lead in the jump trainers’ title race when sending out General Principle to land the Grade 3 High McMahon Memorial Novice Chase in front of a huge student raceday crowd at Limerick.

The Gigginstown-owned gelding, the 4/5 favourite in this six-runner affair, made a couple of minor mistakes but struck the front early in the straight before staying on strongly.

Bryan Cooper ’s mount had six and a half lengths to spare over Twiss’s Hill at the line, with a yawning gap of 35 lengths back to All Hell Let Loose in third.

Elliott said, “It’s a Graded race and fair play to Limerick for putting it on but it was poor turnout. I don’t think we will find a softer Graded race this year.

“He’s his job done now winning a few races including a Graded race. He will run in the Irish National if he gets into it.

“We have plenty of entries at Aintree and will have to sit down over the weekend and see what we are going to do. We are probably running low on ammunition now but it has been an amazing season.”

Elliott holds a lead of around €400,000 in the trainers’ championship and Paddy Power make him a 1/4 chance to win his first title, with Willie Mullins at 5/2.